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Places We Protect

Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp

New Hampshire

Fall at Loverens Mill Fall descends upon Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve in Antrim, New Hampshire. © Eric Aldrich/The Nature Conservancy

A rare Atlantic white cedar swamp full of moss, wildlife and riverside history is yours for the exploring.

Overview

Description

Step into one of New Hampshire’s most unusual landscapes at Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve. Hidden in the hills of Antrim, this rare Atlantic white cedar swamp feels like a piece of the North Woods tucked into southern New Hampshire. Situated at 1,040 feet in elevation, it's surrounded by high hills that funnel cold air down into the swamp, simulating a climate found further north and giving the swamp its boreal character. A short boardwalk leads you into this world of mossy hummocks, leaning cedars and cool, misty air—a habitat so unique it’s been here for thousands of years.

Beyond the swamp, trails wind through mixed forests and along the North Branch of the Contoocook River, where remnants of an old mill hint at the area’s rich history. In spring, wildflowers brighten the forest floor and warblers fill the canopy with song. Whether you’re drawn by the quiet beauty of the cedar swamp, the riverside views or the chance to spot moose tracks in the mud, Loverens Mill offers an experience unlike anywhere else in the state.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily.

Highlights

Snowshoeing, hiking, bird watching and nature study are just a few of the exciting things to do at Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp. Check out the remnants of the old saw and grist mills, built in 1798 by Samuel Dinsmore, a Revoluntionary War veteran originally from County Antrim, Ireland.

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Photos from Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve

Groundcover plants like sheep laurel, Canadian bunchberry and yellow loosestrife add splashes of color when they bloom in late spring and early summer, and in fall smudges of rust and red creep in with the changing foliage of cinnamon fern, blueberry, huckleberry and red maple.

A cedar waxwig bird eating a red berry from a bush full of red berries.
A cedar branch coated in ice.
A close-up of a moose's head.
A river flows over rocks.
Shelf mushrooms on a tree trunk.
A white-tailed deer fawn in ferns.
A tree with twisted shaggy bark.
Small purple and yellow flowers on a blurred green and yellow background.
A white-breasted nuthatch clinging to a tree trunk.
A woman in a blue coat and hat snowshoeing in the woods.
A cedar waxwig bird eating a red berry from a bush full of red berries.

Winterberry Shrubs: This native plant displays bright red berries that provide food for birds even in the coldest months. © Tom Hamilton

A cedar branch coated in ice.

Atlantic White Cedar: Atlantic white cedar, coated here in ice, is one of the highlights of the rare habitat at Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve. © Eric Aldrich/TNC

A close-up of a moose's head.

Moose Portrait: Moose are the tallest and the second-largest land animal in North America. © George Gress

A river flows over rocks.

Contoocook River: Loverens Mill Preserve contains more than two miles of frontage along the rugged North Branch of the Contoocook River, along with other wetlands. © Haley Pope/TNC

Shelf mushrooms on a tree trunk.

Shelf Fungi: Bracket fungi (also called shelf fungi) growing on a tree trunk. These woody, shelf-like mushrooms can be found on trees at Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve. © Haley Pope/TNC

A white-tailed deer fawn in ferns.

White-tailed deer: Deer are a common critter spotted at Loverens Mill Preserve. © Kent Mason

A tree with twisted shaggy bark.

Atlantic white cedar: We love the twisty, shaggy bark of the Atlantic white cedar tree. © Haley Pope/TNC

Small purple and yellow flowers on a blurred green and yellow background.

Fleabane: Fleabane, a common wildflower along New Hampshire trails, adds delicate beauty to the forest in late spring and summer. © Haley Pope/TNC

A white-breasted nuthatch clinging to a tree trunk.

White-breasted Nuthatch: In the winter, white-breasted nuthatches join large foraging flocks of chickadees and titmice, which helps them find more food and gain protection from predators. © Sujata Roy

A woman in a blue coat and hat snowshoeing in the woods.

Snowshoeing: Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve is fun to explore on showshoes in the winter. © Eric Aldrich/TNC

Visit

    • Atlantic White Cedar Swamp: Walk the 200-foot boardwalk into one of New Hampshire’s largest and highest-quality Atlantic white cedar swamps. Look for sphagnum moss, black spruce, tamarack and rare wildflowers like rosebud azalea and bunchberry.
    • Glacial Erratics: Marvel at huge boulders left behind by retreating glaciers 15,000 years ago.
    • River Views & Wildlife: Follow the North Branch of the Contoocook River for chances to spot ebony jewelwing damselflies, mink, muskrat, river otter, beaver and a variety of birds including Louisiana waterthrush, veery and hermit thrush.
    • Historic Mill Remnants: Near the start of the trail, see the remains of the old Loverens Mill dam, foundation and sluiceway.

  • Loverens Trail:

    • Total distance: ~3.0 miles (loop).
    • Start at the parking area on Loverens Mill Road. Walk 0.25 miles along a woods road to the preserve trailhead.
    • The trail passes through mixed forest (balsam fir, red spruce, white pine, red oak) and boreal habitats.
    • The Cedar Swamp boardwalk is 0.1 miles from the trailhead and extends 200 feet into the swamp. Please stay on the boardwalk to protect this fragile habitat.
    • After the boardwalk, the trail continues past glacial erratics and fragrant balsam, then splits at a junction. Bear left to reach the North Branch in 0.2 miles.
    • The trail follows the river and wetland edge for about 0.6 miles to an elevated point. A short spur leads to Lookout Point on the river’s edge, with winter views of Nancy Mountain and Lightning Hill.
    • Complete the loop (0.6 miles back to the start, then 0.4 miles to the trailhead). Watch for moose sign, wild turkey, deer, coyote, fisher, bobcat and black bear.
    • Parking: Small pull-out lot on Loveren Mill Road, just north of Route 9.
    • Trailhead: Follow the woods road 0.25 miles to the preserve entrance.
    • Difficulty: Easy to moderate; mostly gentle grades, some wet or rocky sections.
    • Best Seasons: Spring for wildflowers and azalea bloom; summer for damselflies and lush greenery; winter for open views.
    • What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, insect repellent, water and binoculars for wildlife viewing.
    • Accessibility: Boardwalk is flat but may be slippery when wet; rest of trail is natural surface.
    • Dogs: Dogs are not allowed at this preserve.

  • To minimize disturbance of the wildlife and habitat of this nature preserve and to support the enjoyment of all visitors, please follow these guidelines:

    • Pedestrian use only—no motorized vehicles, horses, ATVs or bikes.
    • Leave No Trace—please keep the preserve clean by carrying out your trash.
    • Respect the natural world around you! Do not remove or destroy plants, wildlife, minerals, rocks or cultural items.
    • No camping or open fires allowed.
    • Hunting is allowed in the western portion of the preserve. Please obey all posted signs and contact the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department for dates and regulations and wear blaze orange.
    • Pets are not permitted; help us protect wildlife on the preserve and be respectful of other hikers by leaving your pets at home.
A white and pink flower.
Painted Trillium Wildflowers like trillium create splashes of color in spring throughout Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp Preserve. © Eric Aldrich/TNC

History

A Place Shaped by Nature and People

Long before mills stood on its riverbanks, the lands around Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp were home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence—including stone tools and ancient fish traps in nearby valleys—shows that Paleoindian and Abenaki (Pennacook) communities lived, fished, hunted and managed resources here dating back 12,000–13,000 years ago. The North Branch of the Contoocook River served as a key travel and trade corridor, with Native trails like the Kon-wa-teg-ok ferrying people and seasonal resources between communities. While no specific sites have been documented within this swamp, the region falls within N’dakinna, the ancestral homeland of the Abenaki Peoples.

European settlement transformed the landscape in the late 18th century. In 1798, Revolutionary War veteran Samuel Dinsmore built a homestead, sawmill and grist mill along the North Branch. The mills grew into a thriving operation, producing barrels, pails, timbers, shingles and siding for the region. In 1864, Josiah Loveren purchased the mill and expanded its output. The mill’s overshot waterwheel was a marvel of its time. After Josiah’s death, his son John kept the mills running into the early 1900s, after which the Batchelder family took over. The Batchelders manufactured a variety of products—including cable reels, crib dowels and small boxes that held the sound mechanism for “Mama” talking dolls, a popular toy of the era. The mills finally closed in the 1920s, but visitors can still find remnants of the old dam, foundation and sluiceway near the river’s edge today.

In 1998, The Nature Conservancy acquired the original tract to protect the swamp’s rare Atlantic white cedar ecosystem—only one percent of New Hampshire’s wetlands—and its entire 1,200-acre watershed through partnerships. Today’s boardwalk allows visitors to experience a living, 4,000-year-old boreal refuge where both nature and human history converge.

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